Understanding Traumatic Brain Injury

A traumatic brain injury, or TBI, is a condition caused by some type of external shock to the head. The shock can come in the form of a severe jolt to the skull or from something actually penetrating it from the outside. The most common causes of TBI are falls, traffic crashes and criminal acts, including gun attacks.

The vast majority of the more than 2 million cases of TBI that are reported every year in the United States are classified as mild, with symptoms ranging from headaches to temporary disorientation. However, nearly one in three of the tens of thousands of accidental deaths that occur every year in this country are related to a TBI.

In the long term, a TBI can affect a human senses, cause speaking difficulties, lead to depression and even alter the personalities of the victims. A brain injury can also expose the victims to conditions developing later in life, including Alzheimer's disease. In addition to the human suffering involved, these types of injuries collectively cost the nation more than $75 billion in medical expenses.

Suspected cases of TBI require immediate medical attention. It will also be wise for these victims to seek the services of a Los Angeles traumatic brain injury lawyer, who can help them obtain the compensation that they require and deserve.